Examples (2) of companies that have used internet technologies to gain clear advantages over competition

Can you give two examples of companies in recent years that have used technology, specifically internet technologies to gain a clear and sustainable advantages over competition ?

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I have taken Amazon and Yahoo as examples.

Amazon

Amazon.com is amazing online super mart selling numerous items including book for which it is famous for. Now it is one of the world's leading online retailers with over 17 million customer accounts in over 150 countries. The company sells books, music, DVDs, videos, toys, electronics software, video games, home improvement products amongst others. Through its marketplace services- amazon.com auctions, zshops etc. the company has created web-based marketplaces where buyers and sellers enter into transactions involving a wide range of products.

As the company states in its 199 10-k:

"We offer our customers a superior shopping experience by providing high value through selection, convenience, ease of use, low prices, product information and an intense focus on customer service. We are a proven technology leader, having developed electronic commerce innovations such as 1-click technology, personalized shopping services, easy to use search and browse features, secure payment protections, and wireless access to our stores."
In their 2005 SEC filing, Amazon describes the vision of their business as to:
"Relentlessly focus on customer experience by offering our customers low prices, convenience, and a wide selection of merchandise."

Online Superstore
Amazon has efficiently used the partnership, alliances and affiliation programs to develop its business model. It used this to supplement its own product lines (Discussed in the other business models). Amazon's platform and complete bouquet of services is made available to sellers to offer additional goods and services and Amazon earns the fees in return (" Syndicated stores program"). It has got partnership with many such organizations, for example, in the UK, Waterstones (www.waterstones.co.uk) is one of the largest traditional bookstores. It found competition with online so expensive and challenging, that eventually it entered a partnership arrangement where Amazon markets and distributes its books online in return for a commission online. Similarly, in the US, Borders a large book retailer uses the Amazon merchant platform for distributing its products. It has also tieup with the toy retailer Toys R' Us.

Amazon market places
Amazon Marketplace facilitates its customers and other retailers to sell their ...

Solution Summary

A discussion on internet technologies as well as examples for a competitive advantage.